A comparative analysis of caregivers satisfaction with the waiting area of the paediatrics HIV clinic of a tertiary health institution, before and after establishment of a children’s play area

Oliemen Peterside*, Oyedeji O Adeyemi and Chika O Duru

Department of Paediatrics and Child health, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: docolyemen@yahoo.com, oliemen.peterside@mail.ndu.edu.ng; Phone: +2348055855327

Accepted 24 February, 2014

Abstract

Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of quality of health care performance and is of particular importance for those with chronic illnesses that require lifelong treatment and care. The present study was therefore carried out to compare caregivers’ satisfaction with the waiting area of the Paediatrics HIV clinic of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital before and after establishment of the children’s play area with the aim of determining the impact of the play area on patient satisfaction as well as deriving useful information for future health care planning. Questionnaires designed to assess caregivers satisfaction with the waiting area of the Paediatric HIV clinic were administered to two groups of caregivers before and after establishment of the children’s play area respectively. Test of significance among mean scores for each of the parameters assessed were ascertained. After establishment of the children’s play area, there was significant improvement in caregivers rating of the comfort of the waiting area as well as its child friendliness, and overall physical environment. Significantly more of the caregivers interviewed after establishment of the children’s play room were willing to return back to the clinic when compared to the group interviewed before. A high percentage of caregivers suggested that the cleanliness of the waiting area should be improved. In conclusion, there was significant improvement in overall satisfaction of the caregivers’ with the waiting area of the Paediatric HIV clinic after establishment of the children’s play area. There is need to incorporate the Patients experience into every stage of the health care planning process.

Keywords: caregivers’ satisfaction, waiting area, Paediatric HIV clinic